Posted in Chicago Loop Episodes Mexican food Music guests

‘A lot of s****y grudges were buried’ – Jason Novak (Cold Waves founder/musician) (Episode 58)

The industrial music-heavy festival Cold Waves was started four years ago by Jason Novak (Acumen Nation, Czar, Acucrack, Cocksure) as a way for the community to rally after respected colleague Jamie Duffy took his life in June, 2012. Cold Waves…

Posted in Authors Bridgeport Chicago Episodes Italian Beef Music guests South side

From playing with Johnny Rotten and Killing Joke to eating Italian beef in a Mazda: Martin Atkins (Episode 52)

Martin Atkins played with Johnny Rotten/Lydon in Public Image, Ltd. He was a member of Killing Joke. He created the industrial rock supergroup Pigface (now celebrating its 25-year anniversary). He’s played with Nine Inch Nails and Ministry. He’s written indispensable…

Posted in Episodes Logan Square Music guests Pizza

The ‘debauchery sensei of Chicago’ talks ghosts, Chicago rock and charity (Episode 51)

This week’s guests are Herb Rosen (owner of Liar’s Club & musician: Rights of the Accused and Beer Nuts) and Kelly Galassi (bartender/charitable soul). We visit Dante’s Pizza at 2825 N. Milwaukee for a trio of ginormous slices. As Kelly…

Posted in Episodes metal Mexican food Music guests Suburbs

Planning the death metal version of ‘Thriller’ over tacos: Broken Hope’s Jeremy Wagner (Episode 50)

“Please tell me there’s a napkin in that bag.” “This is going to be a good week to get the interiors washed” Death metal comes to Car Con Carne, as Broken Hope founder/guitarist/lyricist Jeremy Wagner jumps in the front seat…

Posted in Episodes Music guests Suburbs

Rise Against bassist Joe Principe shares a pizza in a strip mall lot (Episode 49)

Rise Against’s Joe Principe sits shotgun for a trip to Chicago suburb Downers Grove. We visit Dan’s Pizza, an awesome mom & pop carry-out pizza place tucked into a nondescript strip mall. Over “party cut” pizza and Sprite, Joe talks…

Posted in Chicago Episodes Live performances Mexican food Music guests

Toronzo Cannon brings the blues to the backseat (Episode 47)

Chicago bluesman Toronzo Cannon jumps in the backseat just as his Alligator Records debut, “The Chicago Way” is about to drop. He brings his resonator guitar along to play stunning acoustic versions of “Walk It Off,” “Pain Around Me” and…

Posted in Episodes Mexican food Music guests

‘Dripping glistening grease’ with 88 Fingers Louie’s Denis Buckley (Episode 43)

For this episode, James is joined by 88 Fingers Louie’s lead singer Denis Buckley. They meet up at Taqueria El Tapatio on the west side of Chicago, which leads to discussions like: “There is grease just rolling down my hand,”…

Posted in BBQ restaurants Episodes Live performances Music guests

In-car performance with Josh Caterer of Smoking Popes (Episode 39)

This episode is a Car Con Carne first: A live-to-tape in-car performance, courtesy of Smoking Popes lead singer Josh Caterer! While parked in the lot of The Texan in Algonquin, Josh plays a couple of Popes songs, a song from…